Britain's Brown says cuts debate key to election

LONDON — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the country's upcoming election will focus on whether immediate cuts to public spending are necessary to rein in the national deficit.

Brown's governing Labour Party says it would postpone major cuts until 2011, hoping to stimulate economic growth.

The main opposition Conservatives say that if elected, they would slash spending to tackle a deficit likely to top 170 billion pounds ($263 billion) this year.

Brown said in prepared remarks before a Saturday speech to activists in Coventry, central England, that "we must protect and not cut front line services."

The election must be held by June 3.